Computational methodology to predict damage growth in unidirectional composites—II. Case studies

A computational methodology was used to simulate the damage growth processes in center notched unidirectional Boron-Epoxy, Boron-Aluminum, and Silicon Carbide-Titanium composites subjected to quasi-static tensile loading. This methodology uses a specially developed finite element program, Micromechanics Analysis and Damage Growth In Composites (MADGIC) code and a hybrid micromechanical-anisotropic continuum model. The unique feature of the approach is that multiple modes of damage can be simulated simultaneously and the crack path need not be preselected. The direction and path of damage growth are dictated by the local mechanics in conjunction with the failure criteria. This paper reports on the applications of this computational methodology to several case studies. Predictions of the damage growth process in unidirectional aluminum and titanium matrix composites were correlated with experimental observations, which have shown to be highly dependent on the properties of the constituents. The computational simulations captured the salient features of the observed notch-dip damage evolution in each of the materials evaluated. The predictions agreed qualitatively quite well with the experimental observations of the failure process.